A Definitive Guide to the 7 Best Crib Mattresses

Summary: This unbiased, in-depth review features the best baby crib mattresses our team of Sleeping Ninjas could find on the market. Disclosure: Sleeping Ninjas has an affiliate relationship with some companies where we get a small percentage of sales if you click over from our site.

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Our babies mean the world to us. From the moment we bring them home, we’re looking to provide them with the very best.

We’re automatically particular about everything involved in their care. From the way we choose to feed them, to the diapers we choose to use, to the clothes we dress them in and the tiny little blankies we swaddle them in. We want nothing but the best for our little bundles of joy. Including the best crib mattress available.

After all, babies spend around 16 hours a day asleep. They’ll be spending more time dreaming on their mattress than anything else. So you want to ensure that they’re slumbering on something safe and comfortable.

We’ve done the hard work for you right here, and compiled a list of baby crib mattress reviews, showcasing the best crib mattresses on the market with convenient “best of” categories.

The Best Crib Mattress by Category

Newton Wovenaire – Best In Safety Crib Mattress

If you’re looking for the safest option available for your baby’s crib mattress, then the Newton Wovenaire is a perfect option.

The Wovenaire contain absolutely no foam, latex, springs, glue or allergens and is 100% recyclable to guarantee that it’s one of the safest options for your newborn AND the environment.

This mattress from Newton is 100% breathable and washable. It is constructed with a patented Wovenaire core that is 90% air covered with spacer material. It has been certified by the CPSC lab to greatly reduce the risk of suffocation and CO2 rebreathing. This means that, if your baby rolls over, they can literally breathe through this mattress!

It features a removable, breathable cover that unzips quickly and easily and is completely machine washable and safe to tumble dry. The core of the Wovenaire can also be tub washed or spot cleaned to ensure that every layer of the mattress can be thoroughly cleaned.

Pros

The Wovenaire uses patented materials that literally allow your baby to breathe through their mattress, greatly reducing the risk of suffocation and SIDS

All components of the mattress are 100% washable

The mattress is GREENGUARD Gold certified against harmful, toxic chemicals and allergens

The cover is quilted in a cloud pattern that creates soft, comfortable pockets of air

Meets all firmness requirements for use with infants

Cons

While all components of the mattress are completely washable, the surface itself is not waterproof, making cleanups more time consuming

You would need to purchase an additional cover to use the mattress while washing the original

Some off-gassing odors have been reported

Bottom Line

The Newton Wovenaire is hands-down the safest, most breathable surface for your newborn. However, it does require a bit more work and time to keep clean.

Nook Pebble Pure – Best All-Natural Water Resistant Crib Mattress

Each Nook Pebble Pure comes equipped with a removable, washable organic pebble wrap that is naturally water resistant due to their patented Nano-technology and is available in 11 different colors to allow you to completely customize the look of your new crib mattress and eliminate the need for any additional mattress covers or sheets.

Their products are 100% organic and all-natural and completely free of any harsh, toxic chemicals, making it one of the best crib mattresses. They use a layer of organic, natural wool to meet flammability standards and entirely avoid the use of any chemical additives.

Pros

The Nook Pebble is a 2-in-1 mattress with a firm organic coconut core side for infants and a Talalay latex side for toddlers

No separate purchases or products are required for your Nook mattress to perform correctly

The pebble cover is removable and machine washable

The mattress is breathable to provide safety and temperature control

Cons

The latex layer does cause a noticeable odor upon opening

The dimensions of the Nook Pebble mattress are not standard crib dimensions

The Pebble mattress cover does not hold up well to repeated machine washes

Bottom Line

The Nook Pebble Pure offers an organic crib mattress option that is naturally breathable and waterproof.

Made with a quilted organic cotton cover, US grown and certified organic cotton filling, and an optional organic wool batting to help regulate temperature and provide all-natural flame-resistance, the Naturepedic has truly gone all out to provide a safe, comfortable, and all-natural sleeping surface for babies.

It provides a firm surface with a 252-coil innerspring construction and super strong 9-gauge edge support system, to help ensure that your infant is fully supported and protected no matter what corner of the mattress they manage to wiggle their way to.

The Naturepedic meets the firmness recommendations of pediatricians and the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Pros

No latex or soy materials are used in the Naturepedic mattress, as to avoid any potentially harmful allergens

Meets the UL/GREENGUARD Gold Certification Standard for emissions

Naturepedic uses all-natural materials to meet and exceed all flammability safety standards, avoid the use of any harsh chemical additives

Naturepedic offers a limited lifetime warranty on all their products

Cons

The mattress itself is not waterproof and requires a separate waterproof organic protector pad to ensure water and dust-mite protection

The quilted cotton cover is not removable, therefore it is not washable

This mattress is on the heavier side, weighing in at around 20-25 pounds

Signature Sleep Gel Memory Foam Crib Mattress – Best 2-in-1

It is constructed with extra firm support on one side to ensure a safe and comfortable sleeping surface for infants, and a softer gel memory foam on the other side that provides an optimal sleeping surface when your child is ready to transition into a toddler bed.

The surface of the mattress is PVC-free and water resistant, wiping clean easily and quickly with little more than a cloth, making late night cleanups a breeze, and comes with a fabric cover to provide an extra level of comfort.

The Signature Sleep meets flammability standards without the use of harsh chemical additives and is CertiPUR US Foam certified.

Pros

This mattress is lightweight, making rearrangements simple and quick

The durable construction ensures that your crib mattress will hold up to wear and tear

Mattress surface cleans easily and quickly to avoid any harmful bacteria or molds

Features a removable and washable polyester cover

Comes with a 5-year warranty

Cons

Any repetitive movements, such as jumping or bouncing, will lead to indentations in the mattress

It is recommended that the mattress be rotated every 2-3 months to ensure optimal quality

Mattress cannot be flipped while your child is still in infancy as the softer, memory foam side is not a safe sleeping surface for babies

Bottom Line

The Signature Sleep is a wonderful option if you’re looking for a mattress that will follow your child through their toddler years and allows for quick and easy cleanup with no liquid absorption.

It features a 100% cotton covering and a hypoallergenic foam insert that is made from the very same materials used in medical grade wound dressings. Their foam construction uses only purified water as an expanding agent making it naturally breathable.

It also features moisture absorbing pores to quickly and safely wick away any sweat, drool, or spilled liquid to ensure that baby stays dry and comfortable all through the night and provides superior temperature control

The high-density foam remains breathable and firm, while still molding to baby’s body to help relieve pressure and provide a comfortable, restful sleep.

The Mamaway passes toxicity tests and is completely heavy metal and propellant-free.

Pros

The unique foam construction guarantees that the mattress will not collapse or sink with use

Optimal temperature control and absorption to ensure dry nights for your baby

Cons

Outer covers can be removed and hand-washed, but the inner inserts are not washable

Due to the unique porous surface to help wick away sweat and spills, the mattress is not waterproof

The surface can be spot cleaned with a clean rag and water and must be air dried in the shade, away from any direct sunlight

The mattress does yellow out after extensive use, while this is not harmful, it can be a bit unsightly

Bottom Line

The Mamaway can potentially require quite a bit of upkeep. However, if your baby suffers from allergies or asthma, the Mamaway is constructed with some of the safest, medical grade material available.

Milliard Crib Mattress – Best Bang For Your Buck

While the Milliard Mattress isn’t quite the cheapest option we have listed, it does provide the most bang for not quite as much buck.

The Milliard features a spring-free construction, made only from a blend of high-quality foams allowing for a firm yet comfortable sleeping surface. They’re sturdy, yet soft foam is uniquely designed to never flatten out over time while mimicking a womb-like environment, allowing for optimal, comforting sleep for your baby.

The Milliard Mattress is encased in a waterproof, non-porous, hypoallergenic cover that safeguards your little sleeper against dust-mites, bacteria, mold, and allergens. This encasement is completely waterproof on the top and all sides but allows for air ventilation through the bottom.

Their foam construction is certified safe and chemical-free, and their mattress meets and/or exceeds all safety standards and certifications.

Pros

With a medium-firm density of 28D, the mattress will never allow your infant to sink

Parents have reported longer, uninterrupted periods of sleep when using the Milliard

The open bottom design of the waterproof cover allows for maximum airflow and temperature regulation

Cons

The mattress will arrive in a vacuum-sealed roll and requires up to 48-hours in a warm environment to fully expand

There will be a noticeable “fresh foam” odor that can take up to 3 days in a well-ventilated area to air out

The removable cover is only wipeable, not washable

Bottom Line

The Milliard is the best option for those looking for optimal qualities such as comfort, ease of cleaning, and chemical free, without breaking the bank.

Important Things To Consider When Purchasing the Best Baby Crib Mattress

Like with every purchase you’ll be making for your newborn, there are a few important things you need to consider before making your final decision. Here are criteria our Sleeping Ninjas used in this best baby crib mattress review:

Warranty

The truth of the matter is, you don’t really need a lifetime warranty on the best crib mattress simply because your baby will only be using it for a handful of years before their moving on to their big kid bed. However, warranties often correlate with quality. If a company is offering a decent warranty on their product, it generally means that they stand behind their product and trust it to be durable and do its job proficiently.

So, while you clearly don’t need a 25-year warranty on your crib mattress, it’s never a bad idea to lean towards a company that at least offers a small warranty or a money back guarantee, just because it generally means the product is of a higher quality.

Flame Retardant

All of the crib mattresses sold in the US are flame-retardant or flame-resistant. It’s actually impossible to purchase a crib mattress in America that does not meet flammability standards and fire-proof laws unless you’re given a specific prescription from a physician. However, it’s how the mattress is made flame retardant that is most important.

A lot of mattresses are still made with polyurethane foam and PVC, both of which are highly flammable. So, oftentimes companies will coat their mattresses with chemicals that are suspected to be harmful to ensure that their mattresses are up to fire safety codes.

Some scientists have even linked these flame-retardant chemicals to things like SIDS and long-term adverse health effects.

So, while you certainly want to ensure that your baby’s new crib mattress is up to all flammability codes, it is certainly worth doing a bit of research to determine how the company is accomplishing that.

Breathability

The breathability of your little one’s mattress will help to endure their safety. While it’s commonplace to lay babies down on their backs now, (rather than on their stomachs, which used to be advised) babies still learn to roll over their own eventually.

It’s certainly not uncommon to lay your little bundle down for their nap safely on their back, only to check back in and find them on their side or tummy, or sometimes even a position you can’t quite figure out!

So, it’s extremely important to make sure that, even if your little one does make their way over to their tummy during their nap, their mattress offers enough airflow and breathability to keep them safe and able to breathe.

Waterproof

This is a given; babies are messy! They have leaky diapers and spit up, and more drool than you were ever prepared for. It is completely unavoidable for some of those little messes to end up on their mattress. Having a waterproof mattress will seriously lighten your load when it comes to wiping up those daily messes.

However, ease of cleaning isn’t the only reason you want to ensure that your little one mattress is waterproof and unable to absorb any liquids.

Mattresses aren’t washable. They’re wipeable, and you can even give them a hefty spraying of disinfectant, but you just simply can’t wash them. If liquids make their way into the padding of your baby’s mattress, it can quickly breed harmful molds and bacteria that can potentially make little ones pretty darn sick.

Especially considering that babies aren’t born with very strong immune systems, and their little faces lie directly on their mattress, they’ll be left breathing in all the harmful things growing inside their mattress.

What To Avoid When Purchasing the Best Crib Mattress

Just like it’s important to ensure that your crib mattress has certain qualities, it’s equally important to make sure that it doesn’t have certain attributes. There are a few things you’ll want to avoid when shopping for the best crib mattress.

Avoid Buying Used

We all know that crib mattresses have the potential to be a little on the pricey side, but it’s always best to try to cut the budget elsewhere, for the safety of your little one. With a lot of use, a crib mattress can potentially break down the same way that any mattress would. Losing its firmness, leaving lumps and uneven surfaces, all of which can lead to a dangerous situation for a baby.

Uneven padding inside the mattress can cause your baby to roll to one side, leaving their face pressed against the mattress or side of the crib, and restricting their ability to breathe.

Not to mention, there’s just no way to guarantee how well that mattress has been taken care of. And, as mentioned above, a dirty mattress (even if it doesn’t look dirty) can be a breeding ground for all sorts of unhealthy and even hazardous molds and bacteria, making for a very unsafe sleeping space for your little one.

Don’t Ignore The Size

For the most part, all cribs and crib mattresses are the same size. But, of course, there are always exceptions to the rules. Sometimes some cribs are larger than others, especially those that are considered convertible and meat to “grow” with your child. And there is also a slew of miniature cribs available on the market for parents that have limited space or would like to keep baby’s crib in the room with them.

So, it’s important to always double check just to ensure that the mattress that you’re purchasing matches the size of the crib you have.

It is extremely dangerous to use an ill-fitting crib mattress in your baby’s crib. A mattress that is too small can leave gaps between the mattress and the crib sides that your child could fall into and become trapped. And trying to cram a too-large mattress into a crib will make for a lump, uneven surface that could cause that baby’s breathing to become restricted.

Avoid Mattresses That Are Too Soft

While firmness doesn’t always equal comfort in our minds, firmness is an absolute must when it comes to a crib mattress. And it needs to be extremely firm.

Allowing an infant to sleep on a soft, plush surface greatly increases their risk of suffocation and even SIDS.

It is actually recommended that you never lie an infant down to sleep on any other surface than a firm mattress; such as couches, pallets, or adult beds.

While it may sound shockingly uncomfortable to us adults, you can rest assured that a good, firm crib mattress is the safest and most comfortable place to put your infant down to sleep.

Don’t Overlook The Certifications

There are certain safety standards and certifications that all mattresses must meet in accordance with The American Society for Testing and Materials and the CPSC. This is to ensure that, no matter what, every mattress sold in the US is safe for the consumers. But, don’t automatically brush off those independent certifications just yet.

Often times, independent groups will certify products based upon the groups’ interest. For example, if you’re looking for an all organic crib mattress, then make sure to look for a mattress that’s been certified “100% organic” by an independent interest group such as the Environmental Working Group.

Often times, companies will label and market their products in such a way that makes the consumer believe it is “100% organic” or “all-natural” when the product doesn’t truly meet those standards. And you’ll often end up picking up the extra price for little more than fancy labeling.

So, if you’re searching for a specific type of the best crib mattress or one that meets certain specifications above and beyond the norm, keep your eyes peeled for those independent certifications rather than relying solely on what the label says.

So Which is the Best Crib Mattress For Your Baby?

Ultimately, the phrase, “parents know best” really rings true here. Some parents may be looking for an all-natural, organic option, while others may be in search of that absolute safest and most breathable option on the market.

The best crib mattresses are no longer the cardboard and foam concoction that they used to be. There is everything from memory foam, to latex, to coconut fiber-filled available on the market these days. They all offer an array of different advantages and disadvantages as well as price ranges.

Here, we’ve made sure to review a little bit of all the options available for the best crib mattress, to help you make the most informed decision for you and your baby.